NAIROBI, KENYA 11th May, 2026— Africa has officially launched the WATOTO Framework, the continent’s first Africa-authored and Africa-led Safety-by-Design standard for digital products, platforms, and AI systems serving children across Africa and the Global South. The landmark launch took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, signaling a major step forward in building safer and more inclusive digital spaces for children.
The framework was launched by Jennifer Kaberi, founder of Mtoto Newz International, during the Governance & Cooperation Frameworks segment chaired by Philip Thigo. Discussions and recommendations from the session are expected to contribute directly to the Africa Forward Summit Heads of State and Government Roundtable scheduled for 12 May, as well as the digital track discussions at the G7 Evian Summit.
The WATOTO Framework introduces a transformative approach to child digital safety by shifting responsibility away from children and placing it firmly on the platforms and systems they use.
Built around a rights-based philosophy, the framework recognizes children not as passive users or victims of technology, but as active participants and future architects of digital and AI ecosystems.
Developed by Mtoto News International, the framework is rooted in African realities, values, and experiences. It integrates ten indigenous African principles, including Uzima, Botho, and Tsaro, to ensure digital products and AI systems align with African social structures, cultures, and community-centered approaches to wellbeing and protection, unlike imported digital safety standards that often overlook African contexts.
The WATOTO Framework was developed using evidence gathered from 599 African children, alongside established African developmental theories and child participation approaches. This evidence-based model aims to provide governments, technology companies, educators, and policymakers with practical and testable standards that can be integrated into legislation, product design, certification systems, and digital governance frameworks.
Speaking during the launch, Jennifer Kaberi emphasized the importance of Africa developing its own standards for child safety in emerging technologies.
“For too long, African children have interacted with digital systems designed without their realities, cultures, or safety needs in mind. The WATOTO Framework changes that by placing African children at the center of digital innovation and governance.
The framework also introduces a regulatory blueprint that can guide African governments and technology developers in creating safer digital ecosystems. Through certification pathways and diagnostic tools, organizations will be able to assess whether digital products and AI systems meet child-centered safety standards tailored for African contexts.
The institutional home of the WATOTO Framework is the Kutunga Design Academy & Innovation Lab, which will lead implementation, certification, diagnostics, and policy engagement efforts. The initiative is co-founded by Caroline Makumbe and Jennifer Kaberi, who serves as Chief Technology Officer.
As Africa continues to accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption, the WATOTO Framework positions the continent as a global thought leader in child-centered technology governance. Advocates say the framework could become a model not only for Africa, but for the wider Global South, where children often face disproportionate risks online while remaining excluded from digital policy conversations.
Mtoto News International is a digital media and advocacy organization dedicated to making children visible through research, storytelling, innovation, and technology-driven solutions that amplify children’s voices and rights.
Kutunga Design Academy & Innovation Lab serves as the institutional home of the WATOTO Framework, leading work on certification, diagnostics, policy engagement, and the development of child-centered digital safety standards across Africa and the Global South.
Access the framework Here